K-pop boy band BTS members will serve required military service, beginning with its oldest member Jin, their agency said on Monday.
“All other members will also serve mandatory military duty according to their plans,” their management group HYBE said in a regulatory filing.
Authorities had recently examined holding a public survey to decide if the group would be granted an exemption on military service.
South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup told politicians his ministry would investigate the group’s economic effect, the significance of military service and overall national interest.
It was likewise discussed whether K-pop stars might have their service abbreviated from two years to three weeks.
A 2019 revision of the law previously permitted globally perceived stars to postpone their service until they were 30.
Oldest member Jin faces selection when he turns 30 in December. The group declared a break in June to seek after solo projects.
All able-bodied men aged between 18-28 in South Korea should finish military service, notwithstanding, over the years a few exclusions have been made for Olympics and Asian Games medal winners, classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at specific competitions.
Those exempt are released from the military after three weeks of basic training, yet should perform 544 hours of volunteer work and serve in their professional fields for 54 months.
A private survey prior this year displayed around 60% of respondents supported military exclusion for BTS members.